Annual Attraction

Petunia

Annuals for Attracting Hummingbirds
Now that the ruby-throated hummingbirds have made their way back to their nesting locations, it is time to sit back and enjoy the show.  For those of you who would prefer not to mess with a nectar feeder, now is the time to purchase those annual plants that hummingbirds can't resist.

Plants featuring "tubular" flowers in shades of red, orange and bright pink are most likely to attract attention.  Listed below are some of their favorites:

Fuchsia
Petunias
Nasturtiums
Impatiens
Salvia
Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)
Snap Dragons
Begonias

Fuchsia

Location
Place hanging baskets or containers containing some of the flower varieties listed above in locations where you can observe them.  Make sure you select flowers based on your particular sun/shade light requirements. If you already have nectar feeders out, adding hummingbird annuals to the mix will just increase your enjoyment.

Buy Local
I highly recommend purchasing annuals from your local grower.  Unlike some of the larger box stores, locally grown plants are hardened off and displayed for sale according to the weather in your location.  Your local grower will also have generations of expert knowledge to help you select appropriate varieties suited to your sun/shade limitations. They take the extra time and effort to maintain their stock while on display, as well as provide instructions on how to properly care for your plants.

Locally Grown

Don't hesitate...unlike other nursery stock, annuals are usually only available for a limited time.


Belinda's Website

Creative Use of Abandoned Nests

Those poor mother robins...they work so darn hard to create a beautifully crafted nest. Whether they are raided by predators or blown to the ground by Spring storms, I always feel bad when such craftsmanship is tossed aside.

This year I decided to create something special from the nest that I found lying under my spruce tree.  I placed it on a cute twig shelf on my patio and potted it up with a small amount of potting soil and some clippings from a tough and aggressive trailing sedum plant.  It now graces my outdoor living area and provides a unique accent, where it might otherwise be thrown out into the woodlot behind the house.

As a bird lover, I do not advocate going on a search and destroy mission to locate these nests.  If they are securely in place somewhere, please do not disturb them! This particular determined bird has since set about creating a new nest in another location. Mother robin is currently battling the local crows to protect her latest creation. I will continue to cheer her on and help chase the crows away when I can.  Then I will sit back on my deck and enjoy her first effort.

Belinda's Website